9 unusual items you need to pack for Haven, Parkdean Resorts or Butlins

I thought it would be useful to share a few tips for unusual things that we like to take on holiday when we stay at a Haven, Parkdean Resorts or Butlins resort.

​I'm not going to tell you how many pairs of pants to pack, but we've got a few suggestions of things that you might not have thought of.

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1. Extension lead

I always take a four-way or six-way extension lead when we stay at a holiday park. Some caravans are well-equipped with sockets but others are a bit sparse, particularly if you're trying to charge up three tablets and four phones at the same time. Obviously you need to avoid overloading such things, but I will avoid giving out such patronising advice as you've survived this long without plugging three hairdryers and a heater into the same socket.

A four way USB plug adapter is also useful.

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2. Something to black out the windows

Sleep is king in our house. If everyone gets a good night sleep then there is a strong chance that we will have a good day out. It's a very different story without sleep. I have to endure tantrums, tears and stomping of feet - and the kids are awful too (Ed: guffaw).

I always pack something that will black out the windows, particularly if we are visiting in summer when it gets light at 4.37am. I've found that big sheets of cardboard are pretty effective, although you do feel like a bit of an oddball taking them on holiday. 

You can also buy blackout film that sticks to the windows and is pretty effective. It's basically bin-bag type material on a roll. 

If all else fails, I've found that silver foil is relatively effective.

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3. WD40

When I started writing this list, I thought I was a relatively normal person. I'm now questioning that.

I always pack WD40 when I visit a caravan holiday park as I find that at least one door is squeaky. I started this habit after a squeaky door woke up one of the children just as I was about to sit down with a glass of wine on the balcony. I've never got over it.

Yes, I really do take WD40 on holiday

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4. A fan

I'm a big, er, fan of fans as a holiday park accessory. Some caravans are quite good at regulating temperature, but they can get pretty warm in summer. Very few caravans and lodges have air conditioning and fans aren't usually provided. 

The downside is that it's quite a bulky item to fit into the car! You can also expect comments about 'bringing the kitchen sink' if anyone sees you unpacking.

Fans are bulky - but they're also pretty useful if you stay at a Parkdean Resorts in a heatwave

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5. Changing towels and crocs

We always make the most of holiday park swimming pools when we are staying at a resort. There's always a changing room but it's much simpler to put on a changing towel and then waddle back to your own caravan in a pair of Crocs.

Pound coins for the lockers are also required at some holiday parks.

Don't tell the fashion police but I sometimes wear Crocs to the swimming pool

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6. Big mugs!

Lots of holiday parks seem to provide ridiculously small mugs. This is clearly a bad idea when English people approach drinking tea and coffee with a significant amount of gravitas.

Save yourself a stressful occasion by packing two big mugs!

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7. Pillow cases and duvet covers for the children

Perhaps we are unusual. Perhaps we are pampering the children and setting them up for a lifetime of entitlement. 

All I know is that my children tend to sleep better when they have a familiar pillow case and duvet cover, so we tend to bring theirs. We don't bring our own duvets, of course, but the outer cases don't take up too much room.

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8. A bike lock

If you're bringing children's bikes then it's (unfortunately) essential to bring a lock as well. Ideally, I would suggest bringing the bikes inside but that's only really possible if you are in a lodge rather than a caravan.

Last time we stayed at Nodes Point on the Isle of Wight I also brought my paddleboard and was able to lock that up with the same bike lock - so I could leave it outside rather than filling up the lodge!

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9. Non-stick frying pan

A frying pan is nearly always included at holiday parks - but we have found that the quality is pretty ropey. Some are absolutely fine but others are scratched or have a handle that falls off when you pick it up. This is particularly stressful if you're attempting to cook pancakes or eggs for hungry children at breakfast time...

Some people also take baking trays or their own kitchen knives for similar reasons, but we tend to risk it with what's provided.

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The obvious stuff

There are plenty of other obvious things that you have probably already planned to pack, such as:

• toilet roll
• dishwasher tablets (if you're lucky enough to have a dishwasher)
• washing up liquid
• kitchen roll
• bin liners
• tea towels
• bath mat
• cleaning sponges and cloths
• oven gloves

Some of these things are often included, but not always. You'll be able to buy things from the on-site shop but you can expect to pay through the nose!